The free daily chain is 'repositioning as a hybrid newspaper,' adding a stable of well known writers, and increasing focus on magazine-style sections including health, food, style and homes.

Along with a number of other changes announced yesterday, Metro has appointed Dianne Rinehart as its new editor-in-chief for English Canada. The veteran journalist’s work has appeared in the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, Montreal Gazette, Winnipeg Free Press, Calgary Herald and Vancouver Sun.

The new strategy at Metro, which is the leading free daily in Canada and elsewhere, says Rinehart, is ‘To find creative ways to out-report, out-design, out-delight, out-service and out-deliver the competition in the paper – and on the web.’ In pursuit of that ambitious goal, the editorial revamp includes:

• Repositioning Metro as a ‘hybrid newspaper’ – with an increased focus on magazine-style sections such as health, food, style and homes, in addition to exceptional news coverage.